Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi with Co-driver Khalid Alkendi yielded gold in the first round of the Emirates National Rally Championship, here in Sharjah. The world rally driver asserted that his participation in the National Rally Championship aims at encouraging this sport in the United Arab Emirates, and confirmed that he will fetch the 5 rookie drivers of Abu Dhabi Racing to participate in the coming two rounds of the National Championship.

“Our participation came late due to the fact that Sheikh Abdullah Al Qassimi, Founder of the Emirates Motor Sports Club, had only recently requested me to join, and I gladly answered,” stated Al Qassimi, who also chairs the board of Abu Dhabi Racing, adding: “I truly enjoyed the Rally’s ambiance and the well organized setting… Let’s not forget that I have made it to world recognition starting off by participating in our National Rally events, and I will always support and cheer this enthralling sport. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Emirates Motor Sports Club, who brought us a very unique and successful National Championship, which is why I will make certain that Abu Dhabi Racing Rookie drivers participate in the upcoming couple of rounds, to gain as much experience and knowledge in the National Championship.”

Sharjah National Rally, which consisted of 6 special stages repeated over 3 sections with an overall length totaling 116.6km, ran successfully by all participants with no significant problems, and with an impeccable administration by the organizers, with Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi dominating the scene, followed by Sheikh Abdullah Al Qassimi, Founder of Emirates Motor Sports Club, who expressed his contentment for the way the first round of Emirates National Rally Championship has availed, commenting: “I am extremely happy with the magnificent setting of the Rally which serves our purpose to rejuvenate the National Championship, the Rally was a success due to the group efforts manifested by organizers and participants all the same. We are no strangers to organizing a successful Rally here in the UAE; this sport has been in the Country for 40 years, and we will try to not only sustain it, but definitely work on taking it to new extremes.”